Storage compartment in shape of catenary



April 2, 1946. E. STEELE 2,397,762

STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN SHAPE OF CATENARY Filed Feb. 15, 1944 INVENTOR. SYDNEY STEELE Patented Apr. 2, 1946 OFHCE STORAGE COMIPABTMENT 1N SHAPE OF CATENARY Sydney Steele,

du Pont de Nemours 3 Claims.

This invention relates to storage chambers, more particularly to storage chambers for textile fabric, some or all portions of which storage compartments are shaped to conform essentially with the mathematical curve known as the catenary. While my invention is especially useful when utilized for constructing the J-box or storage chamber of continuous bleach apparatus, such as that shown, for example, in the Campbell and Fennell Patents No. 2,267,718 and 2,334,066, it is not necessarily restricted to use in connection with continuous bleach apparatus but may be employed wherever cloth is to be stored. v

While my invention may be best explained in conjunction with the appended drawing, some New Castle, Del., assignor to E. I.

8; Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1944, Serial No. 522,525

preliminary consideration will clearly show, the

advantages of employing the curve known as the catenary, or some curve closely approximating that mathematical curve, for constructing the surfaces of storage compartments intended for textile storing purposes. If a piece of cloth is suspended from two points, not necessarily at the same level, the cloth will always take the form of the curve known as the catenary. If the J-box of the storage chamber were constructed of fieXi ble material between the normal highest level of the cloth in the vertical section and the exit end,

and then filled with cloth, the flexible portion of the box would assume the form of a catenary.

That the curve assumed is always the same is obviously of considerable importance, and I utilize this principle in constructing my improved textile-storage compartments. Thus, I employ supporting and bearing surfaces of catenary shape for supporting and guiding the cloth, whether the cloth is introduced into the storage compartment in web form, rope form, or otherwise. Surfaces constructed in accordance with this curve support thetextile fabric in accordance with its natural tendency and facilitate its movement through and removal from the storage chamber.

stricted to use in connection with the J-boxes for continuousbleach apparatus, Figure 4 discloses a textile-storage apparatus which is in no way connected with continuous bleach apparatus.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3 the numeral ll denotes the web or rope of textile fabric which is fed into the J-box storage compartments and stacked up therein, as shown, so that it may be treated in these storage compartments during a storage period of any. desired duration. As illustrated in these figures, the web or rope of textile fabric ll. passes over stacking means, a plaiting device, or rollers, these elements being represented generally by the numeral I2, and is then stacked up as shown at i3 in plaited or folded form in the storage chamber. It should be understood that the elements denoted by the numeral I2 are shown diagrammatically only and, in practice, there will be ordinarily included a traverse mechanism for folding the web or rope of cloth in one direction, as well as a reel or similar mechanism for folding the textile fabric in the storage chamber in a direction at right angles to that in which the traverse mechanism operates. After fabric has remained for the desired period in the storage compartment l3, the web or rope of textile In accordance with my invention part or all of.

the storage compartment may be shaped so that its internal surfaces, especially its bottom po'r tion, correspond generally with the shape of the Referring more particularly to the drawing, I

four forms of textile storage apparatus are shown in the various figures thereof, these forms being denominated, respectively, Figures 1, 2, 3, an e. In Figures 1 to 3 inclusive the textile storage chamber having its bottom surfaces shaped in the form of a catenary is illustrated as a J-box of the type used in conjunction with continuous bleach apparatus, for example that employed in carrying out the processes of the patents referred to above. Incorporation of my textile-storage chamber as the J-box' of a continuous bleach apparatus is but one embodiment of my invention.

There is no necessity that the inventlon be remathematical curve known as the catenary. In Figure 1 this catenary extends between those portions of the storage compartment indicated by the letters A and B, this comprising practically all the useful volume of the storagechamber. In Figure 2 the catenary is of somewhat shorter extent, the lower curve from C to D being in the form of a catenary. As shown in Figure 3, under some circumstances, only arelatively small portion of the storage chamber need be shaped in.

the form of a catenary to secure the benefits of my invention. I In this figure the bottom surface of the storage compartment extending from E to F is shaped in the form of a catenary. It should be noted in Figure 3 that the two portions of the I J-box around its lowermost portion are formed in accordance with the catenary curve and are of approximately equal length. In storage equipment utilized in conjunction with continuous bleach apparatus, it' is frequently advantageous to utilize curved portions constructed in the form of a catenary of equallength on either side of the lowermost portion of the J the textile In constructing my improved textile-storage equipment arranged generally in the form of the catenary curve, as for example in constructing the J-boxes as shown in the drawing, I have found it most expedient to make the lowermost portion or surface (marked "in the drawing) tollowthe catenary form, the upper surface (H in the drawing) .being constructed so that it is generally parallel at all points to the bottom surface. Alternatively, the upper surface Il may also be shaped in the form of a catenary, or substantially or essentially in this form. Substantially the entire J-box or its useful storage space may be shaped so that it conforms approximately or or plaited into the storage space i3 by any suitable mechanism not shown. This mechanism may be the same as that indicated by the numeral l2 in Figures 1, 2, and 3, i. e. include stacking means,

traverse mechanism, a plaiting device, stacking reel, or rollers, or several of these elements in combination, all in accordance with principles now well understood in the art and utilized under similar circumstances where a rope or web of textile material is to be folded into storage space.

In Figure 4 the lower space or bottom portionof the storage chamber l3, denoted by the numeral I8, is shaped approximately or substantially in the form of a catenary. The upper space H may be generally parallel to lower surface ,or may itself be shaped in catenary or substantially catenaryform.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of iliustration, and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

- I claim:

1. -A textile storage apparatus comprising a curved tubular container, the internal walls of which constitute confining surfaces for a textile material, the entire curved portions of said container having the contour of a catenary.

2. A textile storage apparatus comprising a tubular container having a downwardly and then upwardly curved portion, the internal walls of said container constituting confining surfaces for a textile material, the entire curved portions of said container having the contour of a catenary curve.

3. A textile storage apparatus comprising a tubular container, 9. portion of which is in the'form portion of said container having the contour of a catenary curve.

SNEY STEELE. 

